Baby News

(Sorry this is long, I got carried away!)

Today I had another check-up for the baby. Everything looks good according to the doctor. The heart beat is still strong. A couple of nights ago I woke up at 4:30 with back labor. Contractions every 5 minutes apart. They stopped around 7am and I finally went back to sleep for a few hours before it was time to get up. But other than that there have been no real signs of early labor or false labor. Now some of you know the story of Hannah's delivery, but most of you probably haven't heard it in full. So I am about to tell it again just so we can compare the two for when Trey does decide to make his appearance. (And hopefully he will wait until I am closer to the due date!)

It all started the week before Hannah was born. I had my first third trimester pelvic exam (which was painful at 36 1/2 weeks). The doctor said I was in the process of effacing but no dilation. I had already had my bags packed (everyone thought I was crazy and did this too early) so I was ready anytime. The appointment was sometime mid week. That Sunday night (Feb. 12th) I lost my mucus plug and remembered the birthing instructor from my class said labor usually is within two weeks of loosing your plug. Not thinking I would be in labor soon, I didn't worry much about it. I went to bed that night and woke up in the middle of the night (around 4pm) with my back hurting. I realized that the pain was coming and going every 5 minutes. Very regular! I had DJ time them with me and we decided to go to the hospital because my birthing instructor told us to do so when the contractions were every 5 minutes. So we get there only to find out I am dilated to 1 and for the next 4 hours I did not progress. I was in False Labor. I was sent home with the instructions to not come back unless the contractions are closer and more painful (and they said these can last for several weeks). I was also given the day off from work to rest.

I slept most of Monday (13th) and the contractions stopped sometime that night while I was sleeping. I was getting ready for work (Tuesday the 14th) when my boss called and said to take another day off to rest. OK! The pain of back labor started back at 10am that morning but were just the same as before. I figured I was still in false labor and didn't worry about it. DJ had the day off from Walgreen's but was going to Conway to umpire a college base ball game. I was fine with him leaving since the nurses told me this could happen and not to come back unless they were more painful and closer (which they were not). The only thing I was worried about was the fact I could not reach him if I needed to. They are not allowed to wear cell phones on the field. I also didn't know which college he would be at.

I started having a lot of pressure, but again didn't think I was in labor. Around 2 or 3 pm I couldn't take anymore of the pain (not painful contractions, but painful pressure) and asked my step mom to take me to the doctor to be checked to see if I had dilated any. We get there around 4 and one of my doctor's colleges checks me. While doing so he accidentally breaks my water (which is not something you can do with just your hand) and informs me I am dilated to 6. (For ones who don't know when you get to ten you start pushing!) That my water was just waiting to pop and I should get to the hospital if I want an epidural.

I started to freak out a little since DJ was in Conway, I was in No. Little Rock in labor and there was no way to get a hold of him. I got to the hospital and received my epidural and all my family arrived within the hour. They were all calling around to find DJ and where he was. They reached him finally as he was in the 7th inning at Henderson. The athletic coach came out on the field and told him his wife was in labor. He said he knows and its ok. (guess he was thinking I was still in false labor.) The director told him I was dilated to a 7 and the baby was on its way. So, DJ (in the middle of the inning) leaves the game to fight his way to NLR. The traffic on the freeway was backed up 2 miles from construction and so he drove VERY fast on the shoulder most of the way. He made about 30 minutes before I started pushing. He was dressed in all his gear from umpiring behind home plate, complete with Henderson's baseballs still in his ball bag around his waist. It was a sight! I pushed for about an hour and then there was a beautiful baby girl!

Hannah was born 2 1/2 weeks early on Feb. 14th, St. Valentine's Day. She was born the day after the full moon which apparently is not an uncommon thing. I have heard the full moon brings on the babies. Trey is due on the 28th of March. The full moon in March is on the 11th. That is just by chance 2 1/2 weeks before his due date. Maybe we will have the same experience and he will come a little early. As long as he is healthy I have no objections to that. I just want to have a normal labor experience this time and not have to worry about DJ missing the delivery of his son. He is going to umpire a little this spring, but I told him he was not allowed to umpire the whole month of March. He reluctantly agreed. The problem now is that he works in Hot Springs and that is a farther drive than Conway to No. Little Rock. Maybe I will actually know I am in labor this time around!!!

Weekend Fun

This past week has been all about gearing up for the weekend, more specifically Super Bowl Sunday. We hosted our Sunday School's Super Bowl Party at our house again. This time we had a little bit of a smaller crowd than last year. I was more relaxed this year too, despite being 32 weeks pregnant. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Hannah didn't act out as much this year, which was one reason I was a less stressed. Last year she had a total meltdown in front our our 30+ guest. I was a nervous wreck at that point. I guess I have come a long way on the road of hosting and now I am used to having a lot of people in my house at once. Here are some pictures of last night.

The kids playing in the room. They did really well with minor supervision!

The group in the living room watching the game/commercials.
A lot of attention was spend on the Statton twins, Avery and Alexis. They are so cute and getting so big.
This was taken on Saturday. I was busy cleaning the house while DJ helped entertained Hannah for me when he wasn't busy helping clean. The weather was so beautiful on Saturday it was hard for me to stay inside. Hannah actually got to wear some Capri pants and short sleeved shirt. When she wanted to go outside and ride her trike I did make her wear a jacket. She is getting better at riding the trike every time she gets on. Here are some pictures of her riding along side DJ and probably on her way to Mimi's house.

Concentrating hard on getting the pedals to do what she wanted them to do.

This picture is from one of the days before the party. She loves her new vacuum cleaner she got from her Uncle Taylor for Christmas. Its home is in the hall closet right beside mine. Anytime I am cleaning she will go get her vacuum and help clean. This picture is of her "fixing" her vacuum cleaner. It obviously doesn't suck up anything. I think she saw me cleaning my vacuum's brushes one day and so she thought if she would got down to clean hers it would work better. When she was through she said "that's better" and got up to finish vacuuming the floor. Too cute!

Big Cats, Big Bucks and Big Deals

Last night after DJ got off work we went to the Big Buck Classic. DJ's sister and her husband (who live in Eureka Springs) have a guide service for hunting and fishing. They set up a booth at the Big Buck Classic this weekend so we decided to go see them and see what the expo was all about. I had heard there will be Tigers and Snakes there, so I wanted to take Hannah to show her the animals. I am not a big snake fan, but the tiger was pretty neat. She was even able to hold a tiger cub with my brother Matt for a picture. She did enjoy seeing the snakes too. I stood back at that point and let DJ take care of that part. We also got to see deer (one was albino) and an alligator snapping turtle. DJ had a great time too looking at the bucks and hunting gear. I had a great time in one booth buying a new purse and wallet! It was a good deal and set up right next to Betsy and Tim's booth. For anyone who is interested in hunting and doesn't really have much time on their hands, I would recommend Tim's services. Here is their website for more information and prices: http://www.ozarkmountainguides.com/. Here is the picture of Hannah and Matt holding the baby tiger cub. Very Cute!

Going back to work!

I have been blessed in so many ways. One in particular is that I get to say home with my daughter full time. I really only work on the days and times I choose (with my bosses approval, Thanks Shannon). As of right now I am working one 1/2 shift a week or 4 hours total. And I don't go in till 12:30, so I still get to sleep in some. During December I only worked 2 weeks and January and February I have one week off each month to do family things that were already planned.

Now here is what the email is all about: I have to go back to work today and tomorrow morning after having a week off. I know I don't work much, but it still feels like I am coming back from a week of vacationing and have to start back in the grind of working again. I don't want to complain, seeing how my boss and doctors I work for a very gracious to me in letting me have a flex schedule. I am just not looking forward to this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Especially tomorrow since I will have to get up very early and work half of my Saturday.

After Trey is born I will take the usual 6-8 weeks of leave and then start back with my 1/2 shift a week. Things will be very different then since I will have two little ones to leave with DJ or Sheila, my step mom. And I plan on breast feeding Trey so I will have to be mindful of that when I am working. Four hours is a long time to not feed your baby (or relieve yourself)! Moms out there know what I mean! So, lots to look forward to and think about! I am just thankful that I am able to stay home full time with my kids and give them the attention and love they deserve from their parents and not have to take them to daycare everyday.

Friday Night "Skaping"

Friday night my Sunday School class had a fellowship at Shotgun Dan's Pizza and Arkansas Skatium. Since I am pregnant and can't skate, DJ took Hannah on the ice and roller rink to skate for the first time. The ice was pretty hard for her! And it was so cold in there! So we decided to leave and go roller skating instead. She was given skates that had tighten wheels so she could "learn" how to skate without falling as much. The wheels, after inspection from us, were just perfect for her. She was pretty much able to "walk" instead of "skating" in them. She enjoyed this the most. The whole way home and next day she kept saying she wanted to go "skaping". I will have to take her back someday when I can go too! Here are pictures of the night.

Getting ready to ice skate.

Hannah is watching Daddy show her how it is done!
Having fun on the ice.

Very excited about roller skating!
Trying it out with Daddy first.

Doing it all by herself now!

Too Much

I am starting to rearrange the office and craft/spare bedroom for the arrival of Trey. We are going to do a switch-a-roo with the two and move all the office furniture into the middle room and Trey will have his own room/nursery in the back room where the office is currently. Many have asked me why I would do this (including DJ) and this is why: I need more wall space for the office and the middle room has it. Before we can move anything from the office, we have to clear out the middle room. There is not enough space in the room to house the current furniture and all the office furniture.

Here is what we have to get ride of/move somewhere else: two chest of drawers, one hope chest, a glider and an old kitchen table that now serves as my sewing/craft table. This is from the middle room alone. One of the chest of drawers is mine passed down to me from my great grandmother and has current be relocated back to my mother's house with the rest of the matching collection. DJ dresser is current located in the garage to await further placement (currently unknown). Both of which were not really being used but rather collecting dust. The hope chest and glider will be moved into Trey's room and the table will be broken down and thrown away. It is falling apart anyway and needs to be put in a final resting place. It was a good table and served us for a long time; it was DJ's table in his old apartment. The chairs to it have all finally broken and have been thrown away.

Once we have moved all the furniture out we can start moving the office furniture into the new office/craft room. We will also be moving our treadmill into the office to remove it from our bedroom. We would like to move some other things out of that room, but for now we are just focusing our efforts on these rooms. Trey is getting Hannah old crib and changing table. We will be buying Hannah a new bed and night stand for her room. We wanted to make her feel special and thought this would do.

With that all being said, my point of the blog was to say we have too much furniture. We have only been married just shy of 5 years. We have been blessed with a nice home that is 4 bedrooms and has plenty of space. But why do I feel like my house is cluttered with furniture. One reason could be we have a hard time getting rid of old furniture when we buy new furniture. We just hate wasting it. Other reasons could be due to our nature to hoard certain things. I am getting better with that and I am working with DJ too. We keep joking about getting a bigger house, but we don't need one. We need to do house cleaning!!! Maybe after Trey is here I will have more energy to battle this issue. Maybe we can get a hold on our furniture clutter. I would like to do something different with our bedroom too. We need to rearrange things in there so it doesn't look so cluttered. I have my work cut out for me. Any ideas?

Playing Games

Hannah is old enough now to enjoy playing games. For Christmas she received this elephant game where you catch flying butterflies that fly out of the elephants trunk. LOVES this game. We played it with all her cousins while they were down visiting for Christmas. Recently we bought her the Hungry, Hungry Hippo game too. She loves playing this game. Now she is not quite old enough to understand all the correct rules for the Hippo game, but she does understand that if you hit the hippo's lever the hippo will eat the marbles. She thinks that is the neatest thing. She will play with these games over and over and over. I have to watch her when she is playing the hippo game, but if I let her she would play with them all day! Thanks Grandma for the Elephant game!